Jack Sparrow takes a box.

 

Our resident iguana Jack Sparrow, takes a cue from our feathered members of M.A.R.S..

Not to be outdone by the Cockatoos, Macaws, Amazons and assorted other species of parrots who reside at our parrot rescue. He chose a box of his very own.

Melbourne Avian Rescue Sanctuary goes through a ton of boxes on a regular basis, but add in the cold weather and well you can imagine.

So off to the liquor store I go for all their discarded boxes. They are the best I have found so far. And yes we recycle as much as we can.

The 12th night is here, time to put away all the holiday cheer.

Time to pack away all the trappings of the Christmas season. Time to keep all the wonderful memories close to your heart. Time to thank family and friends for simply being the amazing people that they are.

 A  final Happy New Year, from all  here at Melbourne Avian Rescue Sanctuary.

Our big wish, is that everyone continue to follow and support  M.A.R.S  in 2011.  This needs to be the year for amazing changes to take  place. Follow us on our blog, via our direct feed, or on Facebook/M.A.R.S.,(florida parrot rescue M.A.R.S.) and be a part of it  as it happens.

Up date to “This is why there are rescues”

Life, as always, turns out to be a continuing learning experience. That is exactly what this weekend at the Miami bird auction taught us here at M.A.R.S..

Never assume you know everything, never assume that because you have seen the worst, there are not decent, humane places where birds are bred for the trade.

Without going into all the details, I will simply say we are glad we went. M.A.R.S., with the help of many of our online followers from Facebook (Florida parrot rescue MARS), as well as www.marsparrots.org, were able to rescue the birds we judged to be the most in need. In need of a change, in need of retirement, or simply by a few mistakes in the bidding venue. No regrets there either. We will post pictures of our new arrivals and update all on their progress.

Thank-you for all your imput, comments and support. Please remember, it is all about the birds. There are places that get it. They are clean and organized and have a high standard of care, and other places that deserve to be shut down be it rescue, or breeding facility.

Please remember to donate if you can as now we are even more in need of the essentials that it takes to keep Melbourne Avian Rescue Sanctuary operating.

I forgot the most important point. We rescued 12 exotic birds. Their first Sunday here at M.A.R.S. started out with french toast, scrambeled eggs, and of course Jazz. All is quiet once again, at least till tomorrow.

M.A.R.S. has a new look, Green and Clean

Finally, the project of putting a new face and lots of paint on the M.A.R.S. building is nearing an end. We are happy to say we have closed up all the holes and are as hurricane ready as we can be. Despite an extremely hot July and August, and days of wet weather, all involved in the project were amazing to work with. The results, as you see below, just beautiful. Please know that the feathered members of Melbourne Avian Rescue Sanctuary will be safe and sound

IMG 2409

Our next project, as there is always something else needing tended to, is the roof over the bird room itself. Let’s all hope it goes equally as smooth.

Please if you can, consider a donation to our cause by visiting www.marsparrots.org and hit the donate button.

Just a quick note for fun. Keep an eye out for our article on this renovation to appear in Florida Today News Paper. Possible publication dates are the 12th or the 19th of September.

Happy Fall to all from the entire crew here at M.A.R.S.

From tree to tree, Mango and Hot Rod fly free

Mango

Hot Rod

When asked how I spend the days at Florida Parrot Rescue, M.A.R.S., I  reply, “One never knows what will unfold at the parrot sanctuary on any given day”.

Take for instance last Thursday, when two fully flighted harlequin Macaws got to try out their wings. Mango and Hot Rod, available for adoption here at Melbourne Avian Rescue Sanctuary are siblings who never leave each others side. So no surprise, when one took flight the other followed.

We here at M.A.R.S. have a three day rule. In three days they are hungry and thirsty, so you had better track them and pray that’s the day of recovery.

From tree to tree on day three we were successful. They were none the worse for the wear, and I believe fully enjoyed their time in the air. They were a beautiful sight for all to see, but not necessarily for me, the tracker.

M.A.R.S. on “Today in Brevard”

M.A.R.S. founder Lu Apple and Captain Daniel Red on "Today in Brevard"

We were on TV again! The show “Today in Brevard” featuring the Melbourne Avian Rescue Sanctuary (M.A.R.S.) just aired – and we are able to share the video including the entire episode with you.

Stars of the show: JayJay, an Eclectus....

....and Cuddles, a beautiful Moluccan.

My “co-stars” on the show included my dear friend Captain Daniel Red, his Amazon parrot named Captain Morgan as well as two of our birds which are available for adoption, Cuddles (a Maluccan) and Jayjay (an eclectus).

We talked about Captain Red’s love for his bird, the adoption process at M.A.R.S. and why it is so important that rescue birds get proper care and food and find the perfect home – hopefully for a lifetime. Here we go:

Please sponsor a M.A.R.S. parrot by visiting our parrots for adoption and forms page. Also consider to make a donation to support our or become a member of Melbourne Aviary Rescue Sanctuary. Thanks!

Yard Sale Feb. 27th Volunteers and donations needed

We are raising funds, it’s always a necessity, and what better way than our now famous Yard Sales. Set up like a french market with tablecloth covered tables containing  bargains galore. Everyone is sure to find a treasure amidst all of the loot. Here are a few items offered for sale.

Remember the date Saturday February 27th from 8:00 AM till 3:00 PM. If you don’t know where we’re located, you’ll find all the info on our location page.

If you can’t attend, please support our cause by consider a making a donation through the M.A.R.S. website. It’s fast and easy, you can pay online with any major credit card or via PayPal. All funds go directly to the care of the Melbourne Avian Rescue Sanctuary. Thanks!

Assorted pottery and glassware

carved wooden parrots


vintage walnut rocking chair

carved wooden cat, assorted sizes available

Food Glorious Food, please help us to buy some

A truck load of food

Every six weeks M.A.R.S. makes a run to C&J Feed for the assorted bags of food necessary to keep all our feathered friends happy and healthy. Products with the names Lafeber, Higgins, Roudybush, Kaytee, Hampton Farms peanuts and Mazuri are loaded into our truck (no delivery charge that way). The total of these products is a whopping $606.00, and yes, that is after our discount is applied.

The above does not include all the other necessary items such as fresh fruit and vegies, additional protein such as chicken legs or and occasional steak, (Clyde’s) favorite, I will explain that in a later story. Also not included are special treats such as banana, cornbread and fresh ground peanut butter all available from Publix Supermarket which is totally safe.

With all that said, a picture is worth a thousand words. Please donate to our cause and help feed our hungry critters by paying for the above necessary items. If you can, also consider sponsoring a M.A.R.S. parrot or becoming a member of Melbourne Aviary Rescue Sanctuary by visiting our forms page.

It is our sincerest hope that you will help us maintain and achieve our goals entering into our third year of rescuing, rehabilitating and finding forever homes through adoption.

Fantastic Video showcases MARS!

Check out this incredible video our friend Jennifer Leslie created about the Melbourne Avian Rescue Sanctuary. We hope this really helps raise awareness about what M.A.R.S. is doing, helps to get donations and helps to find these fantastic birds new and loving homes!

This video really rocks and we had a lot of fun doing it! Spread the word and a big thanks Jennifer and her crew!

M.A.R.S. Video Interview with WBCC TV

We’e excited to announce that we’re in the news again! Our Executive Director Lu Apple was interviewed by WBCC’s Suzy Fleming Leonard and LuAnn Manderville answering lots of questions regarding M.A.R.S. – the Florida parrot rescue sanctuary and showing off some of her beautiful birds who up for adoption! Surrounded by her trusty assistants Mary and Christina Ranieri were Cuddles, Harley, Snoopy, Angel and Cisco. We want to give Mary extra kudos by having Angel literally standing on head throughout the entire interview – now there’s a well behaved bird (who needs a hat, right Mary?!!!)

Lu mentioned that M.A.R.S. is quickly outgrowing it’s space and is looking for a new location and the FUNDING to help make it happen! If you have any good tips for us on this please contact us.

Forty birds is a lot of beaks to feed so please help us to pay all the bills for the food, care and maintainance of our rescue birds by making a donation.

Thank you!